A draw to win 3000 tickets for the Queen's 80th birthday party has opened.

The celebration, which will only be open to children, will have celebrity guests such as Harry Potter author JK Rowling and actor Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the wizard on screen, says BBC News Online. Other books and characters to be celebrated at the party include Winnie the Pooh and Tracy Beaker.

A show based on Roald Dahl's BFG will be performed, starring model and Dahl descendant Sophie Dahl.

Jacqueline Wilson, who is the Children's Laureate, said: "There's going to be all different characters from favourite children's books, there's going to be a magnificent play, heaps and heaps of different things for children to do. I can't wait until June to enjoy it myself!"

A palace spokeswoman said the Queen hoped the event would encourage children to read. "The day will also focus on the family and the key role that grandparents and parents, relatives and friends can play in shaping a child's love of books through the favourite stories that families pass down through generations," she explained. "We hope this day will encourage children to explore new worlds through the characters and their stories."

Chris Meade, who is the director of the Booktrust charity, called the event "a fantastic way of putting children's literature on the radar of young people."

The draw is open to children aged between four and fourteen, who can apply through the C:BBC website. Each successful child will be given three tickets, so that they can bring a friend and a relative with them.